Stories

Written by Alyssa Wilson, University of Lynchburg Bonner Intern 

Camp Kum-Ba-Yah (CKBY) \Nature Center has been serving the children of the greater Lynchburg area for years, making impacts on hundreds of children year-round, but especially in the summer months. 

As summer is around the corner, parents and guardians in the area may be looking for ways to get their children outside and involved in different activities while schools are closed for the summer. 

However, for CKBY Nature Center, events to fundraise and spread awareness for the summer are starting as early as April 18, which kicks off the Camps’ Historic Garden Day. Camp K hopes to sell 150 box lunches at their event, although they are at about 50 now. Proceeds from the lunches will go towards the Send a Kid to CKBY program, which helps to make sure kids can participate in educational activities year-round. 

The 2nd annual One Community, One Voice Blast Off to Summer Event, which highlights summer program opportunities across the area, is also being hosted at CKBY Nature Center on April 22. CKBY will be providing smores, hiking opportunities, a scavenger hunt, a bonfire, and a chance to purchase new CKBY Nature Center merchandise. 

Summer is the Camp’s busiest time of year, so registration slots fill up quickly. However, weeks four, seven, and eight are open for registration until all 80 spots are filled. 

The day camp begins at 8:45 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m., with hours of fun in between and an after-camp care option for parents and guardians who need it until 5:30 pm.  

Families can expect their children to enjoy fun, goofy songs at the beginning of the day, and participate in a multitude of activities such as swimming, archery, nature hikes, canoeing, fishing, arts and crafts, garden education, environmental education, low and high ropes course, climbing wall and field games. 

Nutrition is also something that CKBY Nature Center is committed to providing during the camp day. It is part of their philosophy that campers are directly involved in the preparation of the food in age-appropriate ways. At least three days per week, lunches are prepared over a campfire under the close supervision of their camp counselors. This is the time for campers to learn how to start a fire, prepare a healthy meal, and stay safe around the fire. Lunches are healthy and vegetarian.

More scholarship opportunities can be found at https://cwngui.campwise.com/Apps/OnlineReg/Pages/Login.html. 

To learn more about Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Nature Center visit their SHARE Greater Lynchburg profile.